No opponent has left such an indelible mark on the psyche of Houston sports like the Steelers, but like Three Rivers Stadium, the Oilers are a memory.

The Texans’ opening at Heinz Field is reality, and in this era, reality is in.

It says here there’s not a better test for the Texans right out of the blocks. Think about it: They can provide fans with new memories if they manage to pull off an upset Sunday against a team destined to compete for the Super Bowl again.

Their freaky 24-6 victory at Pittsburgh in 2002 was something so strange it’s still hard to fathom, but the fact is that inaugural Texans team still upset the heavily favored Steelers despite generating only 47 yards.

Do the Texans have another miracle in their pockets?

It’s safe to say the Texans will produce more than 47 yards Sunday, but will they be able to upset a team that underachieved in the playoffs, losing at home to Jacksonville?
Some things don’t change

The Texans are going to find out right away just how much they’ve improved. They came out of the preseason without a starting player being injured. They’ll need everyone available to mount the kind of assault that’s required to win in Pittsburgh.

This is a typical Steelers team, one that’s coming off an AFC North title in a season in which it ranked No. 1 in defense — third against the run and third against the pass.

It doesn’t matter that Mike Tomlin replaced Bill Cowher. The Steelers’ trademark remains the same: They have a physical running game that sets the tone for everything on both sides of the ball. The difference this season is they’ve added first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall to go with Willie Parker at running back.

Year in and year out, the one constant in the NFL is Pittsburgh’s ranking among the league leaders in time of possession. Last season, the Steelers finished first, averaging 33 minutes, 18 seconds of possession time.

The Steelers pound the ball, control the clock and wear down defenses.

The running game keeps defensive players on their heels and helps give Ben Roethlisberger more time to throw. He had 32 touchdown passes (third behind Tom Brady and Tony Romo), only 11 interceptions and a rating of 104.1 (second to Brady) in 2007.

Because the Steelers’ offense runs and throws so effectively, the defense stays fresh. You won’t find many Pittsburgh defensive players gasping for air in September.

If you’re a Texans fan, you’re wondering how in the world your favorite team possibly can upset the Steelers. The Texans should give them a taste of their medicine by trying to run the ball, control the clock, reduce turnovers and keep the defense on the sideline.

Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Staying grounded

Here’s what we know about the Texans going in: Coach Gary Kubiak, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and assistant head coach Alex Gibbs want to run more than they throw. They’ll stay committed to that as long as they’re not forced to play from too far behind. That’s why Ahman Green will be the most important player on the field.

The passing game is the strength of the offense, but the Texans insist on running because a productive ground game can cure a lot of what ails a team on both sides of the ball.

If you’re a Texans fan, you want the offense on the field. Just the thought of Big Ben having an effective running game and then having time to find Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Limas Sweed and Heath Miller roaming in the secondary, well, that’s not the kind of memory you want to take away from this game.

John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. He can be heard on Sports Radio 610 Monday at 7:30 a.m. and Friday at 4:30 p.m. john.mcclain@chron.com

No opponent has left such an indelible mark on the psyche of Houston sports like the Steelers, but like Three Rivers Stadium, the Oilers are a memory.

The Texans’ opening at Heinz Field is reality, and in this era, reality is in.

It says here there’s not a better test for the Texans right out of the blocks. Think about it: They can provide fans with new memories if they manage to pull off an upset Sunday against a team destined to compete for the Super Bowl again.

Their freaky 24-6 victory at Pittsburgh in 2002 was something so strange it’s still hard to fathom, but the fact is that inaugural Texans team still upset the heavily favored Steelers despite generating only 47 yards.

Do the Texans have another miracle in their pockets?

It’s safe to say the Texans will produce more than 47 yards Sunday, but will they be able to upset a team that underachieved in the playoffs, losing at home to Jacksonville?Some things don’t change

The Texans are going to find out right away just how much they’ve improved. They came out of the preseason without a starting player being injured. They’ll need everyone available to mount the kind of assault that’s required to win in Pittsburgh.

This is a typical Steelers team, one that’s coming off an AFC North title in a season in which it ranked No. 1 in defense — third against the run and third against the pass.

It doesn’t matter that Mike Tomlin replaced Bill Cowher. The Steelers’ trademark remains the same: They have a physical running game that sets the tone for everything on both sides of the ball. The difference this season is they’ve added first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall to go with Willie Parker at running back.

Year in and year out, the one constant in the NFL is Pittsburgh’s ranking among the league leaders in time of possession. Last season, the Steelers finished first, averaging 33 minutes, 18 seconds of possession time.

The Steelers pound the ball, control the clock and wear down defenses.

The running game keeps defensive players on their heels and helps give Ben Roethlisberger more time to throw. He had 32 touchdown passes (third behind Tom Brady and Tony Romo), only 11 interceptions and a rating of 104.1 (second to Brady) in 2007.

Because the Steelers’ offense runs and throws so effectively, the defense stays fresh. You won’t find many Pittsburgh defensive players gasping for air in September.

If you’re a Texans fan, you’re wondering how in the world your favorite team possibly can upset the Steelers. The Texans should give them a taste of their medicine by trying to run the ball, control the clock, reduce turnovers and keep the defense on the sideline.

Of course, that’s easier said than done.
Staying grounded

Here’s what we know about the Texans going in: Coach Gary Kubiak, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and assistant head coach Alex Gibbs want to run more than they throw. They’ll stay committed to that as long as they’re not forced to play from too far behind. That’s why Ahman Green will be the most important player on the field.

The passing game is the strength of the offense, but the Texans insist on running because a productive ground game can cure a lot of what ails a team on both sides of the ball.

If you’re a Texans fan, you want the offense on the field. Just the thought of Big Ben having an effective running game and then having time to find Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Limas Sweed and Heath Miller roaming in the secondary, well, that’s not the kind of memory you want to take away from this game.

John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. He can be heard on Sports Radio 610 Monday at 7:30 a.m. and Friday at 4:30 p.m. john.mcclain@chron.com

This guy sounds more down on his team than the trib trolls are on the Steelers. Even though I think he gives us more credit than we deserve (in yellow), I thnk he's got the basic picture right ... Texans are going down, baby!!

SteelHoss

09-03-2008, 10:46 PM

I think he was being honest. I liked the article. I do think the Texans are under rated.
I watched their defeat of the Jags last season. They are up and coming IMO.

RuthlessBurgher

09-03-2008, 10:54 PM

Shouldn't the author be out on the presidential campaign trail somewhere?

Oh wait...it's John McClain...not John McCain.

Well, then, shouldn't he be out trying to thwart a hostage situation in a high rise building somewhere? Yippee-kai-ay, Mother@#$%^&!!! :lol:

fordfixer

09-03-2008, 11:07 PM

Shouldn't the author be out on the presidential campaign trail somewhere?

Oh wait...it's John McClain...not John McCain.

Well, then, shouldn't he be out trying to thwart a hostage situation in a high rise building somewhere? Yippee-kai-ay, Mother@#$%^&!!! :lol: